Making Plans for Irene

Emergency officials hope today’s rain will make people take notice of the impending Hurricane headed our way this weekend and get prepared.

According to the National Weather Service forecast, Friday may be sunny and that might make it hard to visualize the conditions New Jersey might experience Sunday.

“People have a difficult time taking weather seriously when it’s a bright sunny day. When it’s 80 degrees and you tell them there’s a hurricane coming, they tend think it will be nothing,” said Charlie Maltbie of the American Red Cross Disaster Preparedness team for Millburn-Short Hills, Summit and Morris.  “You have to be able to take yourself out of where you are and think ahead. This is going to impact us one way or another, whatever that impact is. It can be very devastating.”

Emergency officials are urging residents to monitor the Category 3 Hurricane Irene as it continues on its path with a possible blow to New Jersey, and emergency personnel in Verona and Cedar Grove are preparing for every contingency.

Verona Police Chief Doug Huber, a member of the township's emergency management team, said people should have water and supplies on hand, and to prepare for possible interruptions in power.

Anticipating a high call volume during the storm, officials are urging residents to keep the 9-1-1 line clear for emergencies only.

"With emergencies, if something is threatening the safety in their home, definitely call the police, but we're asking people if they can possibly hold off on calling 9-1-1 unless they absolutely have to," Huber said Thursday.

Huber said Verona Public Works is already out in the streets clearing storm drains to mitigate the possibility of flooding, and that the entire Emergency Management Team, which includes the Verona Rescue Squad, Verona Fire Department as well as the police department, is meeting with VPW Thursday to make sure the township is prepared for the storm.

The Verona Police desk can be reached at 973-239-5000.

Cedar Grove Police Chief Richard Vanderstreet said Thursday that emergency personnel are already mobilized in the township, and are prepared for the storm.

"We're monitoring the storm and are all standing at the ready. We have key personnel from the police, fire department, ambulance and rescue squad and public works all on standby. We will be prepared to respond to any storm-related emergencies," he said.

In the event the storm should overwhelm local resources, Vanderstreet said the county and state will also be mobilizing their emergency management teams, and will be able to provide assistance on situations that extend beyond their control.

The Cedar Grove Police can be reached at 973-239-4100.

The National Weather Service Issued the following statement this morning for our area

"Impacts from Hurricane Irene are likely from Saturday night into
Sunday night. The exact timing is still uncertain...but heavy rain
causing flooding and strong winds will likely begin as early as
Saturday night,” according the weather service release.

Maltbie said the Red Cross has already begun mobilizing its volunteers

“Our standard advice to residents in conjunction with FEMA is that it’s critical to have a plan, get a kit together,” Maltbie said. “You don’t know what the emergency will be. It could be a power outage and you have to be prepared to spend an extended period of time without power. Or it could be flooding or know what you’ll need if you have to evacuated. I urge people to prepare for anything. Be ready in case you need to relocate.”

Here are some ways to prepare:

Supplies

The Red Cross recommends having the following items on hand:

• Water—one gallon per person, per day (3­-day supply for evacuation, 2­-week supply for home)
• Food—non­perishable, easy ­to ­prepare items; can opener (3-­day supply for evacuation, 2-­week supply for home)
• Flashlight
• Battery ­powered or hand­ crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (7-­day supply) and medical items
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phones with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket

Communications and Transportation

Cellular phone access was extremely limited in the hours following Tuesday’s earthquake, but many people were still able to send email or text messages. People with land-based phones lines had more luck getting through to people.

Police and Emergency Management  reminded people yesterday to only call 9-1-1 for immediate medical and other emergencies.

In some cases, it may be safest to just stay where you are rather than venture onto the crowded roadways and trains. Emergency and government officials frequently use the news media to let the public know the best course of action, so try to look for news reports before making a decision.

Other Red Cross suggestions include:

• Plan routes to emergency shelters and register family members with special needs as required.
• Make plans for pets. 

• Bring items inside that can be picked up by the wind. 
• Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings and keep them closed as much as possible so food will last longer if the power goes out.
• Turn off any propane tanks and unplug small appliances.
• Fill their vehicle’s gas tank. 
• Close windows, doors and hurricane shutters. If hurricane shutters aren’t an option, close and board up windows and doors with plywood.